Doha, Qatar: Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council announced the second cycle of the Innovation Pilot Grant (IPG) during the first day of Web Summit Qatar 2026.
The announcement was made at the QRDI Council pavilion during a session titled From validation to Market Entry: Qatar as a Platform for Startup Expansion, highlighting the programme’s role in accelerating the adoption of high-potential technology solutions and connecting startups with key ecosystem partners.
The first cycle of the programme recognises Bayanat as the awardee, marking a significant step in QRDI Council’s mission to accelerate the commercialization of innovative solutions and support the growth of Qatar’s startup ecosystem. The Innovation Pilot Grant empowers startups by providing QR365,000 in funding over a period of up to one year, enabling them to connect with key ecosystem partners and pilot their technology solutions.
Senior Programme Director of Innovation Development and Piloting Programmes at QRDI Council, Nada Al Olaqi said, “The Innovation Pilot Grant reflects QRDI Council’s commitment to nurturing Qatar’s startup ecosystem and enabling practical, impactful innovation. By connecting startups with critical ecosystem partners, the IPG helps emerging ventures pilot their solutions, accelerate market adoption, and address local challenges across Qatar’s priority sectors. The awardee announced today, Bayanat, demonstrated a diverse, ambitious, high-quality innovation emerging from Qatar’s startup landscape, showcasing how targeted support and collaboration can turn ideas into actionable, market-ready technologies that benefit both the economy and society.”
Launched as part of QRDI Council’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Qatar’s research, development, and innovation ecosystem, the Innovation Pilot Grant complements other initiatives designed to help startups and SMEs advance research, development, and innovation.
As the first day of Web Summit Qatar 2026 unfolded, the momentum around innovation and entrepreneurship set an energetic tone, with QRDI Council convening a full day of sessions and discussions designed to accelerate Qatar’s startup ecosystem. The programme opened with insights on how Qatar is powering R&D-driven startups, followed by presentations from key ecosystem partners, highlighting collaborative initiatives that support early-stage ventures. Subsequent sessions explored research, innovation, and impact in the health sector with contributions from the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), ITQAN, World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), and other leading digital health experts, providing a window into the transformative potential of technology-driven solutions.
The day also featured live demos from Innolight and InnoCompass, giving participants a firsthand view of practical tools driving innovation, as well as discussions on Qatar’s gateway to open innovation, with panels showcasing success stories, sector insights, and opportunities for startup expansion.
